New to shaving, need advice

[Iggy]

Hello,
I have decided to get into wet shaving and B&B has been a great resource for all the information. I have been doing some research on the “equipment” needed to start off this hobby. Luckily, I live in NYC and from what I understand I have a great choice of stores such as Cambridge and Pasteur for my needs. However, I am lost with all the choices there are for creams, brushes, sticks, soaps, aftershaves, blades etc. Since I am just starting off, I would like to get just the basics needed for wet shaving for reasonable price.

So far, I have decided on:
Merkur Heavy Duty razor, Cambridge has it for $40
Some Derby blades or a sample pack if I can find one in the Pasteur or Cambridge

That is it,
Gentlemen, would you suggest other starter supplies that I will need, I want something basic for a cost effective price. For example, I do not know what is better soap, cream or stick or which brush to get or aftershave. Before I spend a lot of money I would like to see if wet shaving is something that I will love.
Thank you in advance.

 

[Hreafn]

The soap, stick, cream question. They are all equal soaps and sticks are most likely on the cheaper side. I would look in to a palmolive shave stick.

 

[maxman]

Proraso is a great cream to try. I'm a fan of the Real Shave Company products too. You can expect to get quality results from the higher end products like Trumpers, Taylor's of Old Bond St. &c. So I would start with something cheaper like Proraso.
A blade sampler is standard equipment these days.
Don't forget to pick up something as a post treatment.
Thayer's Witch Hazel is a good place to start.

 

[WastedResources]

Soap/Cream: Proraso or C.O. Bigelow (in the tube)
Toner: Thayer's Witch Hazel is a classic, but Neutrogena makes some good stuff.
After Shave: I use a cooling after shave and a moisturizer most of the time. Some people like an after shave lotion. If you're looking for old school, try some Aqua Velva. If you're a little more exotic, Saint Charles Shave has a nice variety. I'd recommend Neutrogena Triple Protect for the moisturizer.

All of this is really up to your personal preference. What works great for me, might not work for you. Always check out the reviews section before you buy. Happy Shaving!

Oh yeah, there's also a BST (Buy-Sell-Trade) section on the forum you might want to check out.

 

[luvmysuper]

Good choice on the Merkur, though I suspect you'll be in the BST looking for a vintage before long.
+1 on the proraso, which is available at Bath and Body Works under the name of C.O. Begelow. About 5 bucks for a smaller tube. Creams are easy to lather and great for beginners.
You should pick up some witch hazel, there are scented ones, but I personally like the el cheapo brand at your local drug store for about 2 bucks. witch hazel is about 14 percent alcohol and is a mild anethstetic which soothes the skin if you have had a rough one.
Soaps are available to fit the budget. Try the Van DerHagen in Walmart for about 2 bucks.
Gentlemen's Best has some great soaps including the wildly effective GB Chilled. Check the site:

http://gentlemensbest.com/soaps.aspx

I also suggest a styptic pencil, also available at your local drug store.
You will get some nicks and cuts along the learning process, and the pencil helps stop those little bleeders.
An aftershave splash or balm is a great follow up, a balm is preferred by guys who think they have sensitive skin and then learn that they don't really. An alcohol based splash is my cup o'tea, I just don't feel like I'm done without it. I like that after shave "burn". Splashes are generally preferred by folks who discovered they don't have sensitive skin afterall and folks with oily skin.
A blade sampler pack is a must. No single issue can spark more debate about what is better than your choice of blades (except maybe Williams Soap, Tabac, and Lilac Vegetal).
You can get a sampler pack from West Coast Shaving

http://westcoastshaving.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=2&zenid=a5e784f723079727a81e24c35813f76e

Both of the sites are from trusted members here so you can't go wrong.

Lastly, don't be shy about asking questions, even if you think it's a dumb one.
There's no such thing as a dumb question except the one that isn't asked.
Folks around here are a little different than your average web site, and no flaming is tolerated here.
Besides, asking questions gives the know it alls around here a chance to show off!

Welcome to B&B and good luck. Keep us posted on your progress.

 

[drburt]

I would start with a cream. I agree that Proraso is wonderful. I started with Taylor's Sandalwood cream. It makes an outstanding lather and has an excellent scent.
The Merkur HD is a great razor. I would start with a blade sampler.
+1 on the styptic pencil. Aftershave is a personal statement.
Suggesting a brush is difficult, but I will try. If you want to use a badger brush I would recommend the Edwin Jagger medium best badger brush. I will lather most anything and will last a lifetime. If you want boar, I would suggest an Omega brush. If you want neither badger or boar, both Jagger and Omega have good brushes that use man made bristles.

Burt

 

[Defcon5]

Definitely shoot for sampler packs on the blades. Derby might be perfect for you, but the blades are one of the most important variables to get right.

You'll get good shaves out of Proraso stuff, but I also like to recommend Cella as a first soap. That stuff rocks the smooth shave.

 

[miamimoe]

+1 on Phil's comments. The other thing I would add is to read the Wiki and check out the reviews. You can learn an awful lot about what is out there for you. You will also find that people here love to answer questions, so don't be shy.

 

[GoldenBacon]

Cream: Proaso
Soap: Tabac, Van Der Hagan, any mama bears soap
Brush: Tweezerman

 

[moodymick]

Buy an Alum Block, it truly is the measure of a good / bad shave.

deffo a blade sampler.

finally don't fall into the trap of thinking just because it costs a lot - that it's good, or that just because it is dirt cheap - it's cack!

 

[Defcon5]

If you recommend VDH, tell them which one. I tried select and it's a terrible shave!

 

[Perished]

I'm new mate, but thought I'd say hello.
Used Proraso which is lovely. Smells great, leaves the skin feeling mighty fine.
However, and I've only wet shaved now for 2 months, after reading reviews I decided to try Pirate Cove Soap... Wow. IMO, the stuff is great. And it is CHEAP!!

I don't have any nicks or cuts and don't need a pre shave oil neither.
Combine that with the Proraso pre/post shave balm, which is great and the Proraso lotion too, perfect combo.

 

[Iggy]

Thank you for all the great advices! It seems that most agree on the Proraso/C.O. Bigelow for shaving cream, Thayer's Witch Hazel and sample razor pack. So this my updated list of what to get:

Merkur heavy duty
Razor sample pack
Proraso cream
Thayer's Witch Hazel

Drbert suggests Edwin Jagger medium best badger brush. Any other brushes I should look out for? What else am I missing? What does Alum Block used for?

 

[ajkimmins]

The worst part of all this is the cost at first. As you will soon find out YMMV (Your Mileage May Very). What works for one will not necessarily work for you. I prefer creams. I also like the cheaper blades and FEATHERS! You can get decent badger brushes in the $40-50 range. I would recomend the blade samplers at http://westcoastshaving.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=295. As for the creams and the soaps, you will have to try them and see if you like them. Keep an eye out on the BST forum. A lot of people will sell three and four creams and soaps at a time for a great deal, that's how I've aquired some of my favorites. If you don't like a cream or soap that you've tried a couple times you will be able to offload it there for a small discount once you've been a member long enough and gotten your post count up enough.
That being said,
For soaps you might want to try Tabac.
Creams, any of the big three are great; Trumpers, Truefitt and Hill, and Taylor of Old Bond Street.

 

[ajkimmins]

In fact this is a great deal to get you started. I've tried all three and love them all. If I could afford it right now I wouldn't be passing it on to you.
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=147231

 

[ajkimmins]

And a decent starter brush here
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=147289